kipwinger

Right now we're a one line team, and the first line is getting keyed on. I still think the second will come around, they had flashes of chemistry against Buffalo. But we've got to get some secondary scoring. My third line would be the kids (Nyquist, Andersson, and Tatar) and my fourth would be Cleary-Emmerton-Miller until Helm is healthy. That would be a strong checking line because Cleary at least looks like he's skating better, and the third line would score. Sooner or later they're going to have to make a decision on Samuelsson, if he can't be traded then at least waive him and open up the roster spot. It's too early to make these decisions yet, but they shouldn't wait too long because we're in a tougher division now and points will be at a premium.

Well, anybody remember the first game of last season? We've got a lot to figure out, but I'm not too worried right yet. That said, we need to straighten out the bottom six and probably get a grip on these penalties sooner rather than later.

Yeah, exactly like that.

We should probably do something about this bottom six at some point, they really don't have much to offer.

I agree, he's earned a chance, not a spot. He'll undoubtedly get that chance this season, so basically I see nothing wrong with starting him in GR.

I had no idea that six goals and twelve assists in fifty four career games earned you a solid roster spot on the Detroit f*cking Red Wings these days. It's especially interesting considering Cleary's four goals and six assists in fourteen games during LAST YEAR'S PLAYOFFS doesn't even merit a 1.75 million dollar one year contract around here. Hell, Ville Leino had nine goals and seven assists in his fifty five career Red Wings games before being sent packing. Nyquist hasn't earned anything...yet.

Helm + Babcock getting his lines straightened out = Monster Hockey Club

Jesus Christ. He's not a man...he's a machine!!!!!

Swatted that out of thin air. Good job Sammy!

My boy Kindl is looking good five on five, and Smith looked good on the PK. Atta boy!

Both Yzerman and Bowman are in favor of tossing guys for fighting? That really has to create quite a conundrum for much of the LGW community eh?

I feel bad because I've always liked Parros, but why was he fighting Orr for the second time tonight? Not really sure why this even happened.

Brian Burke makes competitive team out of every organization he gets involved with. If he takes over Calgary they'll begin the process of turning things around.

I honestly can't believe this whole discussion began because I said that having a good powerplay would make other teams hurt for trying to fight. Isn't that something of a truism? If I were to say the equal but opposite, e.g. having a bad powerplay doesn't make other teams hurt for trying to fight, everyone would agree. But here we are.

If there were a correlation between size, fighting, hitting, and winning then the biggest team with the most hits and fights would win the Cup almost every year. That doesn't happen. Wanna know what does have a high correlation to winning? Special teams, and goal differential. So when I say I'd rather have a good powerplay than George Parros or Colton Orr or some other garbage enforcer, it's actually supported by something other than whimsy.

Next he'll say something good about Kindl and then tear the "Babcock face and hair" off exposing a hideous, monster-like visage, with croaking toad voice and demon eyes. The real Babcock will never be heard from again.

When exactly are we "getting bullied"? When was the last time an important Red Wing missed time because someone took a run at them? Every team in the league knows the Wings don't fight, and they leave their enforcers in the press box when they play us because of it. This whole, "we need to get tougher because we get bullied" argument is bologna, it's just a post hoc justification used by people who want to see more fights. I'll take a good powerplay because, ya know, we do that whole powerplay thing a few times a game. You take your enforcers, and keep waiting for teams to "bully" us so that you can say "I told you so". As bad as we've traditionally been 4 on 4, I don't know if there's anybody (who will actually fight) who's worth taking that penalty on.

ewwwwww juices? Ugh...I just threw up in my mouth. lol.

I know it's just sort of knee jerk for you to be condescending about everything, but I don't know how you wouldn't be excited about scoring three PP goals against last year's second best penalty killing team. Particularly given how bad our special teams have been for a couple years now.

For me, the two topics seem to go hand in hand.

If our powerplay looks as good as it did last night, I sure hope the other teams in the conference keep it up because it's going to be a long year for them shorthanded.

Zetterberg-Dats-Abby/Bert Alfie-Weiss-Franzen Nyquist-Andersson-Tatar Miller-Helm-Cleary Sammy/Bert Kronwall-Ericsson Kindl-Dekeyser Smith-Quincey Lashoff First, I'd keep the kids together on the third line because their chemistry is undeniable (Tatar's two goals on Nyquist's two assists the other night stands as evidence). Second, Kindl is on my second pair. I see a lot of people putting Smith up there, and honestly I have no idea why. At this stage of their respective careers Kindl is noticeably better in essentially every area than Smith is. Third, I like Abby on the first line but against slower (and bigger) teams I'd play Bert up there because I think he's got the better offensive skill set. But I don't like Bert on the fourth line as much, so I'd ideally stick with Abby or Eaves there if at all possible.

Ditto.

Ummm...I'm here for the free butt pats... But seriously, any updates on Weiss? I don't have twitter so I'm apparently lame and out of the loop.

Between Woodward and Clifford. The actual stadium may be on the other side of 75, but as I understand it, the whole area which is currently vacant will be developed, so essentially from the Hockeytown Cafe area north. I guess my mention of the Fox was a bit misleading.